Barrhead News | News | TAXI DRIVER'S TREK FOR CHARITY

Saturday, 22nd November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 21st August, 2008 17:45

TAXI DRIVER'S TREK FOR CHARITY

By Amanda Keenan

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A BARRHEAD man is taking on a gruelling hillwalking challenge to raise money for four cancer charities.

Inspirational Jim McLean, 60, is gearing up to take part in The Great Wilderness Challenge on Saturday August 23.

The kindhearted fundraiser will treck up to 3,000 feet stretched across 25 miles in the Scottish Highlands and he is hoping locals will dig deep into their pockets and sponsor him.

Jim will start his challenge at Dundend in Ullapool and finish at Pooleve in Wester Ross

Taxi driver, Jim, said: “The treck is really gruelling but I am looking forward to it.

“I have to walk through bog land and wade through rivers and it definitely lives up to its name because most of the course is in the wilderness.

“I have taken part in the challenge for the past eight years and in total I have managed to raise over £2,000. And this year I would be delighted if I could raise £400 which will be donated to four cancer charities.”

The cash will be split between Kids First, Click Sergeant, Highland Hospice and Birchwood Highland who depend on donations to help patients.

The Great Willderness Challenge has been running since 1986 and has received a total of almost £500,000 from the efforts of GWC walkers and runners.

The 25 mile hike itself has donated an incredible total of almost £1.9 million in its 22 year history.

Keen hillwalker Jim who has won medals for taking part in the challenge is busy training to make sure he is in peak condition for the treck.

He added: “I have been doing a lot of walking around Barrhead and surrounding areas and the great thing about training for this challenge is that I drop a few pounds.

“I am hoping to finish a bit quicker than last year but it all depends on the weather conditions as it can make the hike difficult if it rains.”

If you would like to sponsor Jim then pop into Arthurlie Taxi office or Boots store in Barrhead and fill in the sponsor form or call Jim on 07813123586.

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